Light Like a Weapon

Artemisia learned from Caravaggio, the era's master of dramatic contrast, and pushed his style further. Her scenes erupt out of deep shadow into harsh, raking light, so a blade or a clenched fist seems to leap from the dark.

Compare her Judith with Caravaggio's. His heroine recoils, holding the man at arm's length as if disgusted. Artemisia's Judith leans into the work, sleeves pushed back, her whole body committed to the act. The difference is the difference between watching violence and doing it.